Balcony

ABSTRACT

A building construction, comprising: one or more studs protruding from a building façade; at least a partially constructed balcony; cooperating means for hooking the balcony into position relative to the studs to locate the balcony; the cooperating means comprising: a pin mounted to the one or more studs or a part connected thereto extending in a generally horizontal direction substantially parallel to the building façade when the stud is affixed in a wall of the building; and a slot provided on the balcony extending in a generally vertical disposition, whereby the balcony can be located into position by locating the pin within the slot, the slot extending upwards from a bottom portion of the balcony.

This invention relates to a balcony. In particular, it relates to a balcony assembly and method for assembling a balcony to the façade of a building.

It is convenient to be able to prefabricate a balcony, including its floor and walls, and to be able to lift the prefabricated balcony into place against the façade of a building then locate it securely, rather than having to assemble the whole balcony “in situ”.

Previous proposals for affixing prefabricated balconies to the façade of buildings use mechanisms in which the balcony is slid into place, typically achieved by arms protruding out from the façade. These systems, however, require careful and precise alignment and levelling of the balcony before and as it is moved into position and therefore skill and a fair amount of time is required by the installer to secure each balcony.

Alternatively, the balcony may be provided with members that are located within brackets formed on the façade of the building and are then adjusted to achieve the correct position before securing.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved balcony system which is easier and quicker to install.

According to the invention there is provided A building construction, comprising:

-   -   one or more studs protruding from a building façade;     -   at least a partially constructed balcony;     -   cooperating means for hooking the balcony into position relative         to the studs to locate the balcony;     -   the cooperating means comprising:         -   a pin mounted to the one or more studs or a part connected             thereto extending in a generally horizontal direction             parallel to the building façade when the stud is affixed in             a wall of the building; and         -   a slot provided on the balcony extending in a generally             vertical disposition,     -   whereby the balcony can be located into position by locating the         pin within the slot, the slot extending upwards from a bottom         portion of the balcony.

Preferably, the or each pin extends in a direction generally horizontally, when the stud is affixed in a wall, and the or each slot extends in a generally vertical disposition.

The building construction may comprise a faceplate provided on the stud, and the balcony being provided with means for hooking the balcony onto the faceplate.

The balcony may have at least one generally U shaped section part in which the or each slot is formed.

the generally U shaped part of the balcony may have a vertical wall, and top and bottom walls extending therefrom, both in the same direction generally perpendicular to the vertical wall, the slot extending through the length of the bottom wall and partially up the length of the vertical wall. This enables a particularly strong affixing as it is affixed in vertical and horizontal planes.

The slots are preferably generally V- or U-shaped. They may be otherwise shaped however.

Preferably the stud projects outwardly beyond the façade to have a U shaped cross-section with a vertical wall and generally horizontal upper and lower walls extending therefrom, in the same direction, and the pin extends sidewardly from the vertical wall. Again, this construction provides increased strength.

Most preferably, the balcony is prefabricated with at least a floor and one or more walls such that after being affixed via the faceplate and secured the balcony is substantially ready for use.

Thus, the balcony is provided with a hook means for hooking over the faceplate and means for subsequently securing the balcony to the faceplate or other part of the studs or facades.

The hook means may be a plate having an inverted U-shape,

In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of affixing a balcony to a wall, comprising providing a construction as described above, comprising providing moving the balcony towards the façade and downwardly to hook the balcony in place.

The balcony may then be secured to the façade.

According to the present invention there is further provided a building construction, comprising studs protruding from a building façade; a faceplate provided on the studs, and at least partially-constructed balcony, the balcony being provided with means for hooking the balcony onto the faceplate and subsequently securing the balcony to the faceplate.

The invention further provides a building construction, comprising one or more studs protruding from a building façade, and at least a partially constructed balcony, and cooperating means for hooking the balcony into position relative to the studs to locate the balcony.

The faceplate or stud may comprise one or more slots extending downwardly from a top surface thereof and the balcony comprises one or more pins for locating within the or each slot and shaped to be captive within the slot so that they cannot be removed from the slot by the balcony moving away from the facade.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of affixing a balcony to the façade of a building comprising providing one or more studs protruding from the façade of the building and a faceplate supported by the stud, providing an at least partially formed balcony having means for hooking onto the faceplate; moving the balcony towards the façade and downwardly to hook onto the faceplate.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference, and illustrated by, the accompanying schematic drawings in which;

FIG. 1 shows an end view of the face part of a balcony;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the base part showing a protruding pin;

FIG. 3 shows part of the façade of a building with an attachment structure for a balcony;

FIG. 4 shows a partial view of a balcony being affixed to a façade;

FIG. 5 shows a base part of a balcony;

FIG. 6 shows a prefabricated balcony with walls;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a balcony arrangement FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows three studs mounted protruding from a building façade;

FIG. 9A shows a cross-section;

FIG. 10 shows the stud of FIG. 8 and a mounting part of a balcony:

FIG. 11 shows part of a mounted assembly;

FIG. 12 shows a balcony of the embodiment of FIG. 8 , and;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section/side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 .

In embodiments of the invention of the balcony is preferably prefabricated, to include at least a base and wall for affixing to a façade of a building. In other embodiments, however, the base only may be affixed to the building and then other parts assembled to it. Generally, other parts such as flooring (decking) may also be added to the balcony afterwards.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the end of a balcony base where the balcony is affixed to the walls. Extending from the balcony base 1 are a plurality of horizontally spaced pins 2 (three are included in this example but more or less than this or even just one pin, may be used).

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the base and through one of the pins, showing how each pin 2 comprises a neck portion 3 extending from the base and then an enlarged head portion 4. Typically, the neck and the head will be circular in cross-section, but it might shaped otherwise.

The pins will typically be formed separately from the base and affixed securely into the base by any suitable means. They may alternatively be pre-moulded or formed with the base in some embodiments. Whichever method is used, they will generally be rigidly and firmly secured into the base of the balcony. They will typically be of metal.

FIG. 3 shows part of a façade 5 of a building having a doorway or window 6 which can open and which is provided in a position where a balcony is to be affixed, such that a person may exit through the doorway onto the balcony once affixed. Just below a doorsill 7 one or more studs 8 protrude outwardly from the façade of the building. In this example there are three of them but more or less than this may be used. As shown by dashed lines at 9 these are typically of H-shaped cross-section for strength.

These studs support a faceplate 10 which is mounted to the studs in any convenient strong way. One or more slots 11 are formed from the top surface 12 of the faceplate and extending downwardly into the faceplate. As shown, these are preferably U-shaped or V-shaped, although there may be other shapes if desired. These are therefore open at their top end (ie the top end of faceplate 12) and extend a distance downwardly into the faceplate to form a U-shape slot or cut-out 11. The enlarged head part 4 of each pin 2 is of greater diameter d than the maximum width w of each slot 11, so that the pin can be held captive.

In the vicinity of the protruding studs 8 (or in other positions) attachment holes 14 are provided via which, once the balcony is located in place by the pins and slots, the balcony can be fully secured in place by using bolts or other means through these holes into corresponding holes or other securing means in the balcony base. These may be omitted, however, if other means of attachment of the balcony are provided.

FIG. 4 shows schematically how the balcony is assembled onto the façade of the building. The figure shows a protruding stud 8 and faceplate 10 with a slot 11. The slot in this example is perhaps more V-shaped, having its widest part at the top surface 12 of the faceplate and then tapering down slightly towards its base 20. In this embodiment the slot extends roughly halfway down the height of the faceplate but other sizes, and ratios of slot depth to height of the faceplate, may be used. The figure also shows part of the base 1 of the balcony. In this embodiment the end of this which is to be proximal to the building is generally in the form of an elongate U-shaped member 21 which can have supporting struts 22. Any convenient assembly, as is communally used in balconies or otherwise, may however be used.

A pin 2 is shown. The view is partially exploded, so the pin 2 is shown out of a hole 23 in the balcony base but in practice before affixing it would be securely affixed to the balcony base.

To affix the balcony, the balcony is lifted by hosting or other lifting equipment to a position adjacent to the faceplate but with the or each pin 2 above its respective corresponding slot 11. It is then moved further towards the façade and then lowered into each slot 11 until the neck part 3 of each pin abuts the bottom 20 of each slot such that it cannot drop no further, with the head [art 4 lying between the faceplate 10 and the façade 5. It will be noted that the head part is behind the faceplate and, as the diameter, or widest dimension of the head part is greater than the widest opening of the slot the pins are therefore held captive within the slot and cannot be pulled out by the balcony being moved in a direction horizontally away from the building façade. It could only be removed, if the balcony is not otherwise secured, by lifting the balcony again, to free the pin vertically from the slot.

Once assembled, the balcony can then be fully secured to the faceplate by blots through holes 15 locating into corresponding holes 25 in the balcony base, or otherwise.

In effect, the balcony is therefore hooked on to the faceplate; it is moved across and then lowered in order for the pins to hook into place within the slots and therefore relative to the faceplate.

FIG. 5 shows a typical base part of the balcony and shows three pins 2.

FIG. 6 shows an assembled balcony which also includes a floor or decking and the pins 2. One of the pins in this view is of course obscured by one of the walls. The balcony includes side walls 31, 32 and a front wall 33, which is formed of railings as shown. Many different designs of balcony, many of course which have railings, some of which have transparent walls, and so on, may be used. Thus, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the balcony 40 is completely or substantially, prefabricated with pins 2 in place and could then simply be slotted into position relative to the faceplate and then fully secured. The slotting of the pins into the slots in the faceplate automatically locate the balcony into the correct position and further adjustments are not necessary before the balcony is finally secured safely to the building.

Thus, a speedy erection and assembly of the balcony to a façade of a building can be achieved.

Other hooking mechanisms may be used. One of these is shown, by way of example, in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In this embodiment, instead of the pins, and corresponding slots in the faceplate, the end of the balcony which is to be secured to the building, comprises an elongate plate 41 which acts to provide a hook. That is, it is typically generally an inverted U-shape in cross-section. This may be provided as one plate or member across the entire width of the balcony which is to be affixed to the building or may be discontinuous.

FIG. 7A shows this hook part 41. In this embodiment, protruding studs 8 are again provided extending outwardly from the façade and a faceplate 50 is affixed to these. In order to affix the balcony in place, the balcony is moved towards the façade but with the hook part above the top 51 of the faceplate 50. The figure also shows the cills 7 of a door more clearly. The balcony is then lowered until the hook part 41 hooks over the top of faceplate 51, as shown in FIG. 7B. This then locates the balcony in place. The balcony can then be fully secured into place by bolts 52 provided through holes (not shown) in the faceplate and the base of the balcony, or otherwise. Similar blots may be used in other embodiments of the invention, or different and affixing means.

The slots 11 may be otherwise shaped. They may be, for example, L shaped, in which case a balcony may be lowered into position to locate pins into the slots, then moved sideways to move therein within a generally horizontal part of the L-shape slot and secure the balcony against upwards movement. Other shapes and configurations of slots and pins may be used.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show an embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , studs are provided which are mounted to a building façade. In this case the stud includes a plate 60 from which extends a plurality of pins 62 which help secure the stud to the façade of the building. From this extends a forward portion 65 which, as shown in FIG. 9 , protrudes outwards from the façade of the building. FIG. 9 also shows a door or window 64.

As shown, the protruding part 63, which may be termed “a faceplate”, is a generally “U” shape in cross-section having a vertical part 65 and generally horizontal upper and lower parts 66 and 67 which both extend laterally in the same direction from the vertical part 65 to thus form a U part cross-section C (FIG. 9A). At the end of this member distal from the façade a further plate 68 may be provided which terminates part 65, 66 and 67.

However other constrictions which include one or more pins extending generally parallel to the façade of the building. These may have a simple projection (or two or more projections) bearing one or more pins. The pins are pre

Extending outwardly from vertical part 65, and in a direction opposite to the direction in which top and bottom 66 and 67 extends, is a connecting pin 69. Thus, in the two studs shown in hold in FIG. 9 , which are mounted in alternate directions, the pin 69 of the first one of the (63 a) extends to the left and the pin of the second one of these (64 b) will extend to the right (and is not shown in the figures and is more clearly shown in FIG. 8 ).

More than one pin may be provided.

The balcony, or at least a part of the balcony to be affixed to the studs, includes a part having a complementary vertically disposed slot which is of sufficient width to enable it to slot over a pin. This part may again be of U shape (as shown in FIG. 11 ). Thus, it has a vertical wall 71, of generally similar height to the vertical wall 65 of the stud and upper and lower walls 72 and 73 respectively which extend generally horizontally thereform (when wall 71 is vertical), both in the same direction, to form a U shaped cross-section. The slot extends generally horizontally through base 73 and then upwards through vertical wall 71 by a certain distance. This may be half way up the length or may be any other distance. It is closed-ended and this forms an abutment for the pin.

As shown in FIG. 10 , upper wall 72 continues horizontally from wall 71 in the opposite direction, in effect to provide a T shape top of the structure. Instead of being a continuation of wall 72 this may be a separate member. This has holes 80 formed within it which, in use, align with corresponding holes 81 formed in the stud (FIG. 8 ) and through which bolts or other securing means can be attached to hold the parts together.

Note that in FIG. 10 the pin in the stud is not shown as this will face to the left in the figure, whereas in FIG. 11 the stud extends to the right in the figure and therefore the stud 69 is shown.

FIG. 12 shows a partially assembled balcony structure 82 mounted to the studs 60.

Note that it is preferred that at least two, preferably three or more, connections, each including a pin and a corresponding slot, are made and these may alternate in the direction the slot faces (ie left than right then left) which provides greater strength.

FIG. 12 shows generally the floor, or part of the floor 90 of the balcony.

FIG. 13 shows a side view/cross-sectional view schematically of the assembled balcony of FIG. 12 . This shows the bars 62 which have been cast into the façade of a building. Upper wall 66 and lower wall 67 protrude from here and the figure shows the positioning of this stud relative to the door 64.

Thus, the stud will face the faceplate part of the stud extends partially within the façade F of the building and partially outside it. The figure shows the pin 69 and the hollow slot 70.

Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 13 works in that the balcony base part is positioned above the studs, moved towards the façade and then moved downwardly in order to hook it onto the façade.

In more detail it is held in the raised position and then moved back to the façade such that the or each of the slots 70 lies above a respective pin 69. The balcony base is then lowered such that the slot locates such that the pin locates within the slot and is moved down so that the pin abuts the top of the slot 70 a and the balcony is held in place. Bolts or other means 95, 96 may then be mounted so as to secure the balcony in place using the holes 80 in the balcony and 81 in the stud faceplate.

Thus the pins extend generally parallel to the wall/façade surface of the building and the walls of the balcony base with the slots are generally perpendicular thereto, but other arrangements may be used in which pins extend in other directions. The pins and slots may be of different shapes or configurations than shown.

In yet alternative embodiments, the or each pin may be provided on the balcony and the or each slot provided on or each stud or protrusion or faceplate attached it.

Other means for hanging the balcony on may be used, alternatively or in addition. 

1. A building construction, comprising: one or more studs protruding from a building façade; at least a partially constructed balcony; cooperating means for hooking the balcony into position relative to the studs to locate the balcony; the cooperating means comprising: a pin mounted to the one or more studs or a part connected thereto extending in a generally horizontal direction substantially parallel to the building façade when the stud is affixed in a wall of the building; and a slot provided on the balcony extending in a generally vertical disposition, whereby the balcony can be located into position by locating the pin within the slot, the slot extending upwards from a bottom portion of the balcony.
 2. The building construction as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of pins and slots.
 3. The building construction as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more projections extending outward from the stud, and the or each slot is provided on the balcony to locate a respective pin within it.
 4. The building construction as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for subsequently securing the balcony in position after it has been hooked into position.
 5. The building construction as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of studs, pins and slots.
 6. The building construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the balcony has at least one generally U shaped section part in which the or each slot is formed.
 7. The building construction as claimed in claim 6 wherein the generally U shaped part of the balcony has a vertical wall, and top and bottom walls extending therefrom, both in the same direction generally perpendicular to the vertical wall, the slot extending through the length of the bottom wall and partially up the length of the vertical wall.
 8. The building construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stud projects outwardly beyond the façade to have a U shaped cross-section with a vertical wall and generally horizontal upper and lower walls extending therefrom, in the same direction, and the pin extends sidewardly from the vertical wall.
 9. The building construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pins are generally circular in cross-section.
 10. The building construction as claimed in claim 1 comprising one or more holes in the faceplate, and a part of the balcony, to enable the balcony to be secured into position after it has been located by hooking onto the faceplate.
 11. The building construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the balcony is prefabricated before affixing to the façade of the building.
 12. A method of affixing a balcony to a wall, comprising providing a building construction as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising providing moving the balcony towards the façade and downwardly to hook the balcony in place.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, comprising subsequently securing the balcony in position. 